darkangrydragon

Okay, I have become very frustrated with my firebird since my alternator died.

I have a 305 TBI (LO3) 1990. It's a Serpentine setup.

I went to Pep Boys and got a 120 amp alt that's normally for a Caprice. The only difference between this alt and stock besides the amps is the location of the mounting bolt holes. If stock bolt holes are 10 and 6 o'clock when looking at the alt fan, then this one has holes at 6 and 12. Needless to say, this won't fit in the stock bracket, but through the use of ugly home depot hardware, I got it to more or less sit in place.

Question 1: This alt should work, right?

Question 2: Is there any way to mount the alternator on the passenger side?

I have deleted A/C and Smog, so there is room. I called March, and they said they don't have a bracket that would work. I'd have to order one of their conversion kits or some other such nonsense.

I was able to jury-rig the new alternator in its stock location. I got a longer belt, but apparently not long enough. However, after some finagling, I was able to get the belt around everything. It;s a bit tight, though. Next, I plugged everything in and tried to start 'er up. Loud clicking sound (starter?). Dome light dims and brightens to the rythym of the click. Now as much as I like a disco party in my car, I think this sounds bad, which leads me to the next question.

Question 3: What is this clicking sound?

Phew. Okay, sorry to dump this all out, but I am very put-out right now and am eager to have a running Firebird. I just got my Hooker cat-back today too, but what fun is putting that on if the car don't go!

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, everybody!

-Andrew

Merlin

You can often remove the rear case screws and rotate the rear shell to orient teh case to whatever conficuration you might need (in 90° increments, of course).

darkangrydragon

Huh, I didn't even think of that.

Thanks, Merlin! That opens up whole new possibilites! I found a turnbuckle at HD that I'm going to try and implement for the "adjustable" portion of the bracket.

RB83L69

Clicking sound = bad connection where the battery cables hook to the battery

Take them off, and clean them (and the battery terminals themselves) with baking soda.

MrDude_1

just be sure that the alt lines up with the rest of the pullys and doesnt stick out too far or go back....


otherwise, it will start to chew up your belt....

i did somthing similar on my 82, athough that was with V belts...


i basicly mounted it upside down and lower so that it didnt clutter the vew of my engine....

darkangrydragon

Yeah, that's what I'm trying to do. Just can't find brackets to hold it in place.....

I'm thinking of just getting a sheet of aluminum to make custom brackets and an aluminum tube for spacers. I'm just sick of March saying it's impossible!

Can I take the pulley off the alternator and pop a few washers behind it if it is too far back?